Every slapshot, save, and goal of ice hockey 2026 will keep you on the edge of your seat at the Winter Olympics.
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As sports fans, we can hardly wait, right? With the return of NHL stars, the ice hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics promises to be one of the most thrilling in history.
But how can you make sure you don’t miss a single second of the action in Milan and Cortina 2026?
The key is knowing where to watch, the crucial dates, and which teams will be in the fight for gold. Get your game plan ready: this is the complete guide to immersing yourself in Olympic ice hockey!
👉 This content is for informational purposes only and does not provide live broadcasts. Here you will find the main platforms and guidance to follow hockey safely.
Streaming and Apps to Catch Every Goal
In the streaming era, following the sports we love is easier than ever, but availability varies by region. The key is knowing which platform holds the broadcasting rights in your country.
Remember, broadcasts are regionalized, so check the main global options and their apps to have ice hockey at your fingertips.
Olympics: Live Sports & News (World)
- Live & highlights: While live game rights vary by country, the official Olympics.com app and website are the best hub for replays, highlights, and breaking news.
- Custom alerts: Set notifications for your favorite ice hockey athletes and teams.
- Athlete information: Detailed profiles, stories, and stats for all teams.
Peacock (USA)
- The NBCU Hub: Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, holds the US broadcast rights. It is the main source for live streams of all events, often covering multiple rinks simultaneously.
- Multiview: Ideal for watching more than one ice hockey game at the same time.
CBC Gem (Canada)
- Hockey hub: As the home of one of the sport’s major powers, CBC provides extensive coverage with free live streams and on-demand content on Gem.
- Focus on ‘Team Canada’: In-depth analysis and reports on the Canadian ice hockey team’s journey.
TV Globo (Brazil)
- Multi-platform coverage: The media group traditionally holds the rights, broadcasting on open TV, SporTV (pay TV), and via streaming on Globoplay (subscription “Globoplay + Live Channels” or operator packages).
- On-demand content: Access to replays and analysis shows after matches.
- Image quality: HD broadcasts, with selected events in 4K.
RAI Play (Italy)
- Host broadcaster: RAI, as the public host broadcaster, offers coverage on RAI 1 and RAI 2 channels and via streaming on the RAI Play app (geo-restricted to Italy).
- Local highlights: Special focus on Italian athletes and Olympic experience, plus live game broadcasts.
BBC iPlayer (UK)
- Comprehensive coverage: iPlayer provides access to multiple live Olympic broadcasts, including ice hockey matches, plus on-demand content.
- Free for residents: Free service for those with a UK TV license.
9Now (Australia)
- Channel 9 streaming: 9Now complements TV coverage in Australia, offering free live streams of all events.
Where to Tune In for Each Olympic Match
Broadcast rights are territory-based. While streaming platforms offer flexibility, traditional broadcasters remain the backbone of Olympic coverage. Here are some key rights holders in major markets, so you know where to tune in for ice hockey matches:
| Country | Broadcasting Networks |
|---|---|
| China | CMG (China Media Group), TDM (Macau Broadcasting) |
| France | France Télévisions, Eurosport |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF |
| Spain | RTVE (Radiotelevisión Española) |
| Japan | Japan Consortium |
| South Korea | KBS / MBC / SBS |
| India | DD Sports / Sony Pictures Networks India |
| Indonesia | MNC Sports / TVRI |
Key Dates for Olympic Hockey 2026
Mark your calendar: the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026. Ice hockey will be one of the main highlights, with thrilling matches in both the women’s and men’s tournaments.
Below, you can check the key dates and details for each competition, divided by women’s and men’s tournaments, so you don’t miss a single moment.
Women:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 05/02 | USA vs Czechia |
| 06/02 | France vs Japan |
| 07/02 | USA vs Finland |
| 07/02 | Switzerland vs Canada |
| 09/02 | Switzerland vs USA |
| 10/02 | Canada vs USA |
| 13-14/02 | Quarterfinals |
| 16/02 | Semifinals |
| 19/02 | Bronze & Gold |
Men:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 11/02 | Sweden vs Italy |
| 12/02 | Czechia vs Canada |
| 12/02 | Latvia vs USA |
| 14/02 | USA vs Denmark |
| 15/02 | Canada vs France |
| 18/02 | Quarterfinals |
| 20/02 | Semifinals |
| 21/02 | Bronze |
| 22/02 | Gold |
Teams Competing in Milan-Cortina 2026
The 2026 ice hockey tournament will feature 12 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams, with male NHL player participation confirmed. Italy, as host country, has a guaranteed spot in both tournaments. Here are the groupings:
Men:
- Group A: Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy.
- Group B: Finland, Germany, Czech Republic, Denmark.
- Group C: USA, Slovakia, Latvia, France.
Note: Due to IOC sanctions, Russia will not officially participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, Russian athletes will be allowed to compete under a neutral flag, without national symbols or colors.
Women:
- Group A: Canada, United States, Finland, Czech Republic, Switzerland.
- Group B: Japan, Sweden, Germany, Italy, France.
Main Contenders for Gold
If you’re new to the sport or just want to know where to focus your support, ice hockey has powerhouses that historically dominate the podium.
- Men’s tournament: With NHL participation, favorites are Canada and USA. Canada is the current two-time Olympic NHL champion (2010 and 2014) with a roster full of stars. Finland, the reigning champion, and Sweden, with NHL talents, are strong contenders.
- Women’s tournament: It’s a clash of titans! The classic rivalry between Canada (current Olympic champion) and USA dominates. In Beijing 2022, the final was between them, and a repeat in Milan-Cortina is very likely. Finland and Switzerland are the main challengers to break this dominance.
Training Routine and Strategy of Athletes
What happens before a 160 km/h slapshot? The routine of an Olympic ice hockey athlete is brutal, divided into three pillars: skating, strength, and tactics.
- On-ice training: Focus on specific skating, which must be powerful, fast, and agile, with sudden direction changes. Intense stickhandling, passing accuracy, and shooting drills are essential.
- Off-ice conditioning: Players are true tanks. Off-ice training includes heavy weightlifting to increase muscular strength and power (especially legs and core), cardiovascular endurance (for intense shifts), and agility.
- Strategy and game intelligence: Hockey is chess on ice. Athletes spend hours analyzing videos, improving defensive positioning, breakouts, and power play tactics. Split-second decision-making separates a good player from a medalist.
Tips for Watching in the Arena
If you’re lucky enough to attend in Milan or Cortina, the arena experience is unforgettable! Live ice hockey is much faster and louder than on TV.
- Choose the best seat: For casual or strategic fans, pick seats a few rows above the glass, near the center blue line. This gives the best overall view of the ice.
- For adrenaline: Sit as close as possible to the glass behind a goal to feel the intensity of hits and shots. (Warn your neck about limited view, but the experience is unbeatable!)
- For panoramic view: Opt for the first rows of the second level (balcony center). Offers a clear lateral view, perfect for understanding game flow.
- Prepare for the cold: Even in climate-controlled arenas, you’re watching ice sport! Dress in layers and bring gloves or a scarf of your favorite team.
No sport is faster, more physical, or more exciting than ice hockey at the Winter Olympics. Now that you have the full map, get ready to cheer! Explore more tips and detailed analyses of the sports world and continue with us on the journey to Milan-Cortina 2026!
